Fylde pals plunge for veterans

Two Fylde coast dare-devils are set to take a leap of faith to support a charity for injured servicemen and women.

Ben Wiseman, 33,and Craig Mawson, 42, both from St Annes, will be taking on a tandem skydive to raise money for Blesma the limbless veterans’ charity.

The event, Fall for the Fallen, will see fund-raisers jump for service personnel killed while on operations in Afghanistan. It will take place at Netheravon Airfield over this weekend.

Jumpers will also meet Blesma’s own sky-diving team, the Trans4mers.

The pals, who both work for the Department for Work and Pensions, Ben at Warbreck and Craig at Peel Park, will be jumping in memory of their friend and Blesma member Warren Wolstencroft who died of cancer in 2013.

Ben said: “The reason we’re proud to support Blesma is down to Warren, who was a member. Warren was an inspiration to many despite battling cancer for over a decade, a battle which unfortunately he lost in July 2013.

“I was proud to call Warren a friend and hopefully I can do him proud by carrying on his charity work.

“In the past we have organised charity football matches and gala dinners in Warren’s memory to raise funds for Blesma, which has a hoilday home in Blackpool, so this time we thought ‘let’s do something different.’”

The former Lytham High School student said he had met Warren as they were both fans of Blackburn Rovers and, after Warren had his arm amputated due to his illness, he helped him with his charity fundraising work.

Laura Hyde, from Blesma, said: “Fall for the Fallen is a fantastic event that not only will raise vital funds for our veterans but will honour all those who have lost their lives while serving our country.”

To support Ben and Craig, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/Wolstencroftskydive